China prepares to launch second aircraft carrier on Sunday: report

Photo shows the new aircraft carrier is under outfitting in north China. [Photo: sina.com.cn]

China's first domestically built aircraft carrier, the Type 001A, is now ready for launch. According to the military, the warship may be launched as early as April 23, the anniversary of the founding of the PLA Navy.

The Type 001A weighs about 70,000 tonnes, is 315 meters long, 75 meters wide and has a cruising speed of 31 knots.

Photo taken in May 2012 shows a Chinese aircraft carrier cruising for a test on the sea. China's first aircraft carrier was delivered and commissioned to the Navy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army on Sept. 25, 2012. The carrier, with the name "Liaoning" and hull number 16, was officially handed over to the Navy at a ceremony held in a naval base of northeast China's Dalian Port. [Photo: Xinhua]